Animal cruelty: Yarra Ranges Council, RSPCA called to act on traps

Wire slipknots are being illegally tied to a fence in Lilydale in an apparent bid to trap and kill rabbits. But one local woman is fed up, calling on authorities to stamp out the problem once and for all.

Illegal rabbit traps have been seen in Lilydale again, with a local woman slamming the "barbaric act".

A Lilydale woman who rescued a rabbit caught in a cruel trap last December says she’s upset the “barbaric act” hasn’t been stamped out after she spotted another wire noose in the same area.

Anne Maree Stewart saved an animal stuck in a wire slip knot tied to the fence bordering the remote control circuit track while walking her dogs near Olinda Creek last year.

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Ms Stewart reported the incident to Yarra Ranges Council and the RSPCA, believing that simply keeping the grass short at the fence line would make it hard to set the bunny traps.

But when she returned with her animals to the same spot last week Ms Stewart was outraged to see another trap set in the same spot.

Ms Stewart rescued a rabbit from this handmade wire noose last December.

She was furious the “inhumane and disgusting” traps are still being set.

She removed it before it could trap another rabbit but is now calling on the authorities to take stronger action on the issue.

“It’s inhumane and it’s disgusting. It’s the most slow, painful death for any animal to endure,” Ms Stewart said.

“Last time I saw a little bunny that was trapped and couldn’t breathe. I rescued it, but it broke my heart.”

Melbourne Radio Control Circuit Racer club secretary Tim Westwood said the group had never had any issues with rabbits.

“In all the years we’ve been here we’ve never seen a rabbit, only a few rabbit holes,” Mr Westwood said.

“We definitely don’t promote that.”

RSPCA Victoria inspectorate team leader Guy Gorman said anyone found guilty of using or setting a non-prescribed trap can face fines up to $38,685 or two years’ imprisonment.

Anyone with concerns for the welfare of an animal should make a report at rspcavic.org or on 9224 2222.

Yarra Ranges Council has been contacted for comment.